THE proposed closure of an infants' school would lead to children losing out on the "innocence of childhood", says a former pupil.

Gordon James, 40, is disgusted at plans to amalgamate Hextable Infant School, St Davids Road, and Hextable Junior School, Rowhill Road, Hextable.

The closure of the infant school is part of a number of measures, including amalgamation and closures, planned by Kent County Council (KCC) to reduce empty school places across Gravesham, Dartford and Swanley.

Parents reacted with anger at the proposals, announced in May to tackle a falling birth rate, saying they would cause upheavel to children.

The proposals are currently under public consultation.

IT technician Mr James, who attended both schools, has written to KCC area education officer Chris Lay, asking her to support more than 220 residents who have already opposed the change.

The Hextable resident says mixing children of infant school ages and junior school pupils could increase bullying and related problems such as eating disorders, depression and anxiety.

Infant school pupils would be distracted by the older children's "antics", he added.

If proposals go ahead, the schools would discontinue and re-establish into a community school to cater for all the pupils.

Amalagmations are also planned for Birchwood Primary School, Russett Way, and White Oak Community Primary School, Hilda May Avenue and Swanscombe Infant and Sweyne Junior School, both in Keary Road, Swanscombe.

Mr James said: "The amalgamation of these two schools is needless.

"After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

"The only results of this change will be increased concerns for already worried parents, a dramatic increase in bullying and a reduction in the quality of education received by the children.

"The mixing of the age groups will see the younger children's attention being diverted to the older children's antics.

"I believe this change will mean the younger children will miss out on the innocence of childhood."

CREATING SPACES

HEXTABLE Infant School can accommodate 180 children and Hextable Junior School can accommodate 289 children.

KCC says the schools' pupil numbers are expected to fall in the next few years.

The combined roll for the two schools in forecast to be 401 by 2010.

KCC says this is an appropriate time to consider amalgamation into a two-form entry primary school.

KCC's cabinet member for education and school improvement John Simmonds said: "I understand the anxiety this process has caused and we will reach a decision as soon as we possibly can.

"Each empty place costs approximately £250 - the equivalent of £3.5m wasted county-wide every year.

"The problem is not going to get better but very much worse, so doing nothing is not an option."